Just the other day I got in a Fight!

I was out near my Worm Farm, transplanting a few cherry tomato seedlings when it all began.
 
I had a bag of potting mix between my knees, both hands full of dirt and BAMMO!

One of the neighbor’s bees lined me up and took me down with one hit (but not before I squealed hysterically, ran in circles and threw dirt everywhere).
 
I was stung on the top of my cheek, just below my right eye. I was home alone and a little worried about the effects, as I had been stung on my foot a few years previous and my whole leg swelled. Luckily, this time, Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation saved a disaster. My face did swell a little – but only enough to cut some vision and make me look a little chubby. But the worst thing of all – It hurt when I smiled.
 
I didn’t actually go to a doctor but I can imagine their advice. “If it hurts when you smile – don’t do it.” And that does seem simple, and logical I guess. Just don’t smile.
 
But let me tell you… Naturally, I’m a visually expressive person. I like to show my emotions physically. It’s generally very easy to tell what I’m thinking just by looking at my face.
 
So, imagine not being able to smile for 3 days! (Especially with the ‘Trigger / Response’ of Smile = Pain) It REALLY took it out of me!
 
By the third day I was flat… low in energy, enthusiasm, compassion, appetite and zest. I felt like Mr. Bland from Blandsville having an averagely bland day. My heart beat without passion!
 
Now apart from the fight with the bee – Life was wonderful. I had no other reason to complain, so I knew the connection was direct.
 
Being deprived of the ability to smile affected my mental, emotional, physical and spiritual health – and that got me thinking. 

The Smile Meditation

Smile!

Usually when I meditate I feel stress and muscle tension melt off me like ice in the sun. I try to ‘let go’ of everything and separate my awareness from its physical attachments. But as soon as the swelling subsided and associated pain gone, I lay to meditate and consciously held a gentle smile. (Not a big forced cheesy grin… Just an inner feeling of warmth and good humor.)
 
And quickly, thoughts of good things and fun times started to drift by. And they kept coming. Good times, funny situations, things people had said that made me laugh…
 
And although the rest of me was relaxed, my face slowly shaped into a full teeth grin – but it was a natural smile. I gave it no muscular assistance at all. I couldn’t help but smile!
 
The energy of my smile became a power source of its own. It drew from the links of all my smiles past – and this energy stared to radiate through my body. I was soon glowing, and rushing with the endorphins that are released when you laugh. My physical body still held no tension, so this smiley energy was free to zoom around my body and blast all blockages and pockets of dense negativity. I didn’t care what the bad bits were – but I could feel them wrapped in the energy of a warm loving smile and transformed into light!
 
And when my meditation was finished I felt great. Rosy cheeks – bright eyes – a spring in my step and a thankful smile (For I felt thankful to the little bee, who gave me the opportunity for this new experience).

In Practice

You can have fun with this one. Ensure you won’t be disturbed – so the universe knows ‘this time is yours’. I suggest laying or sitting to start with, (but if it works for you a few times, try it walking, gardening or washing the dishes).
 
Have some ambient relaxation music in the background. This meditation will work best without a guide, as the journey will be unique to you.
 
Take a few full breaths and then find a natural and relaxed rhythm, slow and deep. Scan your body from tip to toe to let go of muscle tension and physical stress.
 
Say something similar to, “I use this time to appreciate the joy in my life. I give thanks for the people, places and things that make me smile.” Then, if you haven’t already, gently turn up the corners of your mouth.
 
It should feel natural. If it feels forced, back off and wait for thoughts and joyful feelings to energize it before you continue.
 
Don’t ‘hunt down’ things you ‘think’ should make you happy, or that you ’should’ be thankful for. Relax, let go, sink into the intent you set, and see what comes. Let Go of needing to have control.
 
Think of your thoughts as clouds. In a massive sky full of clouds, gently let your gaze focus on one. Look at it, feel it, draw from it, but don’t connect so much that the other clouds in the sky disappear. Don’t crave attachment to it. Just know that as one cloud passes, another will arrive, and another.
 
The arrival and departure of your thoughts in meditation should be effortless. No expectation – or hanging on.
 
And as these clouds continue to pass by, connect to the Energy of your Smile. Feel it. Experience it. Be it. And then see what happens
 
I suggest that 10 to 20 minutes would be enough for this one… Unless you get really good – then All Day – Every Day! Ha-ha.

The Sign Off

Cheese!

At that is my Smile Meditation. Scientists have proven it’s chemically beneficial and I’m sure you can draw from experience of your own. Smiling is good for you. Why not try to connect with your smile while in a meditative state?
 
I hope you enjoy the practice and receive the many Smiley benefits.
 
Share your experience with other like minded souls below.

Did the Smile Meditation Brighten Your Day?
 
In Love and Light, We Explore! Nigel Coates

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